one_o theodatus_fw-la artemon_n and_o beryllus_n and_o sabellius_n in_o the_o four_o century_n by_o arius_n eunomius_n and_o some_o other_o and_o in_o the_o same_o age_n the_o personality_n and_o divinity_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v deny_v by_o macedonius_n and_o some_o other_o who_o be_v there_o brand_v by_o a_o particular_a name_n and_o call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d oppugner_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n these_o heterodox_n opinion_n beginning_n to_o spread_v and_o disturb_v the_o peace_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n and_o some_o other_o ill_a opinion_n arise_v too_o several_a general_n council_n be_v summon_v by_o several_a christian_a emperor_n the_o nicene_n council_n by_o constantine_n the_o great_a who_o main_a work_n be_v to_o examine_v the_o opinion_n of_o arius_n the_o council_n of_o constantinople_n call_v by_o theodosius_n the_o first_o to_o debate_v the_o opinion_n of_o macedonius_n the_o council_n of_o ephesus_n call_v by_o theodosius_n the_o second_o to_o consider_v the_o opinion_n of_o nestorius_n and_o the_o council_n of_o chalcedon_n summon_v by_o the_o emperor_n martian_a to_o consult_v about_o the_o opinion_n of_o eutyches_n these_o council_n consist_v of_o some_o hundred_o of_o bishop_n have_v the_o glory_n of_o god_n in_o their_o heart_n the_o settlement_n of_o the_o church_n in_o their_o eye_n and_o the_o bible_n in_o their_o hand_n do_v after_o a_o mature_a deliberation_n pronounce_v the_o opinion_n of_o these_o man_n to_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o the_o obstinate_a defender_n of_o they_o to_o be_v heretic_n and_o certain_o the_o determination_n of_o these_o general_a council_n which_o be_v make_v up_o of_o person_n exemplary_a for_o their_o piety_n and_o eminent_a for_o their_o learning_n who_o resolve_v on_o nothing_o without_o mature_a advice_n and_o deliberation_n be_v of_o as_o great_a authority_n and_o afford_v as_o much_o satisfaction_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n as_o any_o thing_n of_o man_n can_v be_v or_o do_v for_o the_o truth_n of_o god_n once_o teach_v the_o world_n by_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n be_v unchangeable_a for_o ever_o and_o our_o bibles_n which_o be_v the_o only_a rule_n to_o measure_v religion_n by_o continue_v one_o and_o the_o same_o for_o ever_o that_o which_o be_v a_o error_n in_o those_o early_a day_n must_v needs_o be_v a_o error_n still_o and_o that_o which_o be_v a_o truth_n then_o must_v needs_o be_v a_o truth_n now_o and_o if_o we_o can_v think_v of_o any_o more_o proper_a mean_n for_o the_o right_a understanding_n of_o scripture_n and_o the_o discovery_n of_o truth_n and_o error_n than_o the_o deliberate_a and_o unanimous_a judgement_n of_o so_o many_o hundred_o pious_a learned_a and_o unbiased_a man_n assemble_v together_o then_o certain_o the_o determination_n of_o those_o ancient_a council_n be_v very_o considerable_a evidence_n for_o truth_n and_o against_o error_n and_o the_o rather_o because_o they_o consist_v of_o such_o person_n who_o beside_o their_o eminent_a piety_n and_o learning_n have_v the_o great_a advantage_n of_o live_v near_o the_o apostle_n age_n and_o thereby_o be_v the_o better_a able_a to_o inform_v themselves_o and_o we_o what_o be_v certain_o believe_v and_o do_v in_o the_o very_a infancy_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n sect_n ix_o 3._o the_o write_n of_o the_o ancient_a father_n those_o especial_o that_o live_v within_o the_o first_o six_o century_n wherever_o they_o agree_v and_o be_v not_o since_o corrupt_v or_o maim_v by_o the_o fraud_n and_o forgery_n of_o the_o roman_a church_n be_v of_o singular_a use_n in_o this_o matter_n too_o that_o ignatius_n clemens_n origen_n athanasius_n cyril_n nazianzen_n basil_n chrysostom_n hierom_n austin_n and_o many_o other_o both_o in_o the_o eastern_a and_o western_a church_n be_v indeed_o person_n of_o great_a piety_n and_o excellent_a part_n our_o socinian_n without_o breach_n of_o modesty_n can_v deny_v and_o although_o some_o of_o these_o great_a name_n in_o some_o particular_a matter_n have_v their_o peculiar_a mistake_n and_o show_v themselves_o to_o be_v but_o man_n yet_o in_o all_o point_n where_o we_o find_v a_o unanimous_a consent_n among_o they_o we_o be_v to_o have_v so_o much_o veneration_n for_o their_o authority_n as_o not_o easy_o to_o suspect_v or_o contradict_v it_o true_a it_o be_v if_o we_o take_v these_o father_n single_o man_n by_o man_n where_o we_o find_v any_o of_o they_o alone_o in_o their_o opinion_n as_o origen_n in_o reference_n to_o the_o punishment_n of_o hell_n and_o st._n austin_n in_o reference_n to_o infant_n that_o die_v unbaptise_v we_o be_v not_o in_o this_o case_n much_o more_o oblige_v to_o accept_v their_o judgement_n than_o the_o judgement_n of_o some_o single_a person_n yet_o alive_a but_o if_o we_o take_v all_o the_o father_n who_o live_v within_o six_o hundred_o year_n after_o christ_n together_o and_o in_o a_o lump_n where_o we_o find_v they_o one_o in_o judgement_n they_o be_v enough_o to_o make_v a_o wise_a council_n than_o any_o have_v be_v since_o their_o time_n they_o be_v enough_o to_o inform_v we_o what_o be_v error_n and_o what_o be_v truth_n but_o sect_n x._o 4._o because_o learned_a man_n who_o fortune_n be_v mean_a can_v purchase_v and_o unlearned_a man_n who_o intellectual_n be_v weak_a can_v read_v and_o understand_v the_o voluminous_a write_n of_o the_o father_n we_o have_v several_a system_n of_o divinity_n confession_n of_o faith_n short_a abridgement_n of_o christian_a religion_n which_o be_v especial_o to_o unlearned_a person_n great_a help_n in_o this_o matter_n too_o and_o here_o methinks_v those_o ancient_a creed_n of_o the_o apostle_n nice_n and_o athanasius_n which_o be_v so_o general_o receive_v by_o the_o church_n of_o god_n be_v of_o great_a authority_n to_o settle_v our_o judgement_n in_o the_o main_a and_o most_o necessary_a point_n of_o faith_n beside_o we_o have_v many_o choice_n and_o excellent_a catechism_n compose_v by_o man_n that_o be_v pious_a judicious_a acquaint_v with_o scripture_n well_o verse_v in_o the_o primitive_a council_n and_o father_n these_o short_a catechism_n compile_v by_o person_n of_o singular_a endowment_n and_o approve_v by_o the_o church_n be_v little_o less_o than_o contract_v bibles_n contain_v in_o they_o whatever_o man_n be_v oblige_v to_o know_v and_o deliver_v enough_o in_o easy_a term_n to_o inform_v we_o in_o matter_n of_o practice_n to_o secure_v we_o from_o error_n and_o confirm_v our_o judgement_n in_o all_o the_o great_a point_n of_o faith_n in_o short_a the_o substance_n of_o my_o answer_n to_o this_o argument_n be_v this_o since_o we_o have_v the_o write_a word_n of_o god_n to_o be_v our_o rule_n and_o since_o this_o word_n in_o some_o material_a case_n according_a to_o the_o different_a fancy_n and_o interest_n of_o man_n have_v different_a interpretation_n give_v concern_v its_o true_a sense_n and_o mean_v it_o be_v our_o safe_a way_n for_o our_o better_a satisfaction_n to_o betake_v ourselves_o to_o the_o most_o able_a faithful_a and_o unbiased_a judge_n and_o they_o be_v the_o most_o ancient_a council_n and_o the_o primitive_a father_n who_o judgement_n be_v declare_v in_o our_o several_a creed_n in_o other_o public_a confession_n of_o faith_n and_o orthodox_n catechism_n set_v forth_o or_o approve_v by_o the_o church_n of_o god_n and_o since_o we_o be_v very_o well_o store_v with_o these_o excellent_a help_n i_o do_v once_o more_o conclude_v that_o no_o man_n whether_o learned_a or_o unlearned_a can_v need_v any_o new_a argument_n from_o the_o press_n to_o confirm_v his_o judgement_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n sect_n xi_o 7._o this_o author_n seven_o allegation_n against_o the_o restraint_n of_o the_o press_n run_v thus_o if_o it_o be_v unlawful_a to_o let_v the_o press_n continue_v free_a lest_o it_o furnish_v man_n with_o the_o reason_n of_o one_o party_n as_o well_o as_o the_o other_o it_o must_v be_v as_o unlawful_a to_o examine_v those_o reason_n to_o this_o i_o answer_v thus_o we_o must_v distinguish_v between_o party_n and_o party_n between_o one_o who_o be_v orthodox_n and_o one_o who_o be_v heretical_a this_o distinction_n be_v premise_v i_o shall_v resolve_v this_o hypothetical_n proposition_n into_o these_o two_o categorical_a one_o that_o it_o be_v not_o lawful_a for_o many_o orthodox_n christian_n to_o examine_v those_o reason_n which_o heretic_n may_v urge_v in_o defence_n of_o their_o ill_a opinion_n and_o therefore_o that_o the_o press_n shall_v not_o be_v permit_v to_o furnish_v such_o christian_n with_o any_o such_o reason_n it_o be_v notorious_o know_v that_o there_o be_v among_o we_o vast_a number_n of_o person_n who_o be_v of_o weak_a judgement_n not_o firm_o establish_v in_o their_o faith_n not_o able_a to_o distinguish_v truth_n from_o falsehood_n in_o a_o fallacious_a argument_n and_o therefore_o be_v apt_a to_o be_v toss_v up_o and_o down_o by_o every_o wind_n of_o doctrine_n now_o for_o such_o
but_o to_o who_o ought_v the_o care_n of_o this_o be_v commit_v doubtless_o to_o man_n of_o integrity_n learning_n and_o judgement_n to_o man_n who_o be_v able_a at_o first_o view_n to_o distinguish_v vice_n from_o virtue_n and_o truth_n from_o error_n and_o with_o such_o man_n be_v the_o church_n of_o england_n store_v man_n of_o such_o part_n and_o piety_n that_o we_o can_v without_o breach_n of_o charity_n so_o much_o as_o once_o suspect_v that_o they_o will_v to_o gratify_v any_o party_n stifle_v any_o book_n which_o may_v tend_v to_o the_o advantage_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n or_o the_o common_a benefit_n of_o mankind_n notwithstanding_o this_o our_o author_n think_v fit_a to_o tell_v his_o friend_n the_o parliament-man_n that_o of_o all_o other_o person_n the_o clergyman_n of_o our_o church_n be_v the_o most_o unfit_a to_o be_v trust_v with_o the_o regulation_n of_o the_o press_n and_o for_o that_o he_o give_v this_o reason_n namely_o because_o they_o will_v allow_v no_o book_n to_o be_v publish_v save_v only_o such_o as_o tend_v to_o establish_v their_o own_o opinion_n that_o be_v in_o plain_a english_a they_o will_v permit_v no_o book_n to_o be_v print_v which_o tend_v to_o subvert_v the_o fundamental_a article_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n and_o for_o that_o who_o can_v just_o blame_v they_o that_o the_o article_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v sound_a and_o orthodox_n have_v be_v prove_v over_o and_o over_o by_o such_o scripture_n argument_n as_o priest_n and_o jesuit_n arian_n and_o socinian_o or_o any_o other_o heretic_n never_o yet_o can_v nor_o ever_o can_v overthrow_v and_o if_o any_o book_n which_o contradict_v they_o be_v offer_v to_o the_o press_n it_o be_v fit_a they_o shall_v be_v stifle_v in_o the_o birth_n and_o if_o they_o chance_v to_o be_v bring_v forth_o by_o stealth_n it_o be_v fit_a they_o shall_v immediate_o be_v cast_v into_o the_o flame_n that_o be_v the_o quick_a way_n to_o cleanse_v they_o from_o that_o dross_n that_o be_v in_o they_o but_o however_o to_o prevent_v as_o much_o as_o may_v be_v the_o further_a increase_n of_o dangerous_a book_n which_o by_o good_a word_n fair_a speech_n and_o seem_a argument_n may_v do_v much_o mischief_n among_o the_o illiterate_a vulgar_a it_o be_v very_o necessary_a that_o all_o write_n offer_v to_o the_o press_n about_o matter_n of_o religion_n shall_v careful_o be_v examine_v by_o conscientious_a and_o judicious_a divine_n and_o that_o no_o general_a liberty_n shall_v be_v allow_v to_o man_n of_o all_o sect_n to_o write_v and_o to_o printer_n to_o publish_v whatever_o they_o please_v there_o be_v among_o we_o in_o this_o unhappy_a age_n heretic_n of_o 11._o several_a denomination_n of_o who_o st._n paul_n say_v their_o mouth_n must_v be_v stop_v and_o for_o that_o he_o give_v a_o very_a just_a reason_n when_o he_o tell_v we_o they_o subvert_v whole_a house_n teach_v thing_n which_o they_o ought_v not_o now_o if_o there_o ought_v to_o be_v a_o muzzle_n clap_v upon_o the_o heretic_n mouth_n there_o be_v far_o great_a reason_n that_o there_o shall_v be_v a_o restraint_n upon_o his_o pen_n and_o press_n for_o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o any_o heretic_n shall_v do_v so_o much_o mischief_n with_o his_o tongue_n as_o he_o may_v by_o his_o write_n word_n only_o speak_v and_o hear_v be_v transient_a but_o word_n write_v and_o print_v be_v permanent_a a_o heretical_a tongue_n can_v do_v no_o harm_n but_o by_o a_o personal_a conference_n but_o a_o heretical_a pen_n may_v do_v much_o mischief_n to_o man_n at_o a_o distance_n the_o wrong_n that_o may_v be_v do_v by_o heretical_a discourse_n alone_o can_v reach_v but_o the_o present_a age_n but_o heretical_a book_n may_v injure_v and_o poison_v the_o soul_n of_o man_n in_o after_o age_n and_o since_o there_o be_v too_o many_o such_o book_n publish_v among_o we_o it_o be_v the_o great_a concern_v and_o shall_v be_v the_o great_a care_n of_o our_o governor_n to_o see_v that_o there_o be_v no_o more_o lest_o if_o their_o number_n increase_v without_o control_n they_o may_v by_o degree_n consider_v the_o ignorance_n instability_n and_o credulity_n of_o man_n subvert_v the_o faith_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n and_o endanger_v the_o soul_n of_o men._n but_o sect_n iii_o 2._o this_o author_n argue_v for_o a_o unlimited_a liberty_n of_o the_o press_n not_o only_o for_o its_o own_o great_a usefulness_n but_o from_o the_o consideration_n of_o several_a grand_a inconvenience_n which_o as_o he_o say_v will_v follow_v shall_v the_o press_n chance_n to_o be_v restrain_v and_o the_o first_o which_o he_o name_v be_v this_o first_o the_o restraint_n of_o the_o press_n tend_v to_o make_v man_n blind_o submit_v to_o the_o religion_n they_o chance_v to_o be_v educate_v in_o and_o to_o take_v it_o up_o without_o any_o trial_n to_o this_o i_o answer_v thus_o this_o argument_n may_v hold_v in_o popish_a kingdom_n where_o the_o people_n for_o want_v of_o mean_n can_v and_o for_o fear_n of_o their_o inquisitor_n dare_v not_o examine_v the_o principle_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o roman_a religion_n but_o the_o same_o argument_n plead_v in_o and_o against_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v of_o no_o force_n for_o it_o proceed_v upon_o a_o false_a ground_n and_o have_v a_o fallacy_n in_o it_o for_o here_o be_v non_fw-la causa_fw-la pro_fw-la causa_fw-la the_o restraint_n of_o the_o press_n be_v here_o assign_v as_o the_o cause_n or_o at_o least_o the_o great_a occasion_n that_o man_n take_v up_o their_o religion_n upon_o trust_n though_o indeed_o it_o be_v not_o so_o the_o matter_n of_o this_o charge_n be_v true_a and_o as_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v so_o it_o be_v much_o to_o be_v lament_v that_o great_a number_n of_o man_n even_o among_o we_o do_v indeed_o take_v up_o their_o religion_n bare_o on_o trust_n protestant_n they_o be_v but_o why_o be_v they_o such_o only_o because_o it_o be_v the_o religion_n of_o their_o parent_n that_o wherein_o they_o be_v train_v up_o from_o their_o childhood_n it_o be_v the_o religion_n establish_v by_o our_o law_n general_o profess_v in_o our_o nation_n and_o preach_v in_o our_o church_n these_o i_o fear_v be_v the_o only_a motive_n upon_o which_o the_o far_o great_a part_n of_o man_n do_v by_o a_o blind_a and_o implicit_a faith_n take_v up_o their_o religion_n there_o be_v a_o vast_a multitude_n of_o man_n who_o be_v constrain_v thus_o to_o take_v up_o their_o religion_n upon_o trust_n by_o a_o invincible_a necessity_n man_n who_o be_v never_o blessed_v with_o a_o liberal_a education_n never_o teach_v to_o read_v man_n so_o dull_a and_o stupid_a that_o they_o can_v apprehend_v much_o less_o remember_v the_o strength_n of_o a_o argument_n and_o sure_o person_n under_o such_o ill_a circumstance_n be_v in_o no_o capacity_n to_o judge_v for_o themselves_o but_o must_v rely_v upon_o the_o judgement_n of_o their_o teacher_n and_o upon_o their_o credit_n and_o authority_n take_v up_o some_o religion_n or_o other_o or_o else_o they_o can_v take_v up_o none_o at_o all_o and_o this_o be_v the_o great_a unhappiness_n of_o many_o thousand_o i_o fear_v even_o in_o the_o church_n of_o england_n but_o beside_o these_o there_o be_v another_o sort_n of_o man_n breed_v up_o in_o the_o principle_n of_o learning_n man_n of_o complete_a knowledge_n and_o good_a ability_n to_o judge_v betwixt_o vice_n and_o virtue_n truth_n and_o falsehood_n and_o how_o frequent_o how_o earnest_o do_v we_o 1._o exhort_v such_o man_n from_o our_o pulpit_n to_o prove_v all_o thing_n to_o try_v the_o spirit_n but_o alas_o it_o be_v much_o to_o be_v fear_v that_o we_o lose_v our_o labour_n that_o man_n will_v not_o spare_v any_o time_n nor_o take_v any_o pain_n to_o examine_v their_o religion_n but_o rather_o take_v it_o up_o at_o a_o venture_n just_a as_o they_o find_v it_o now_o if_o a_o man_n take_v up_o his_o religion_n upon_o trust_n when_o he_o need_v not_o do_v so_o he_o run_v himself_o both_o into_o sin_n and_o danger_n a_o sin_n it_o certain_o be_v because_o a_o breach_n of_o those_o fore_n name_n command_v and_o a_o great_a danger_n it_o be_v because_o instead_o of_o a_o juno_n he_o may_v embrace_v a_o cloud_n instead_o of_o a_o true_a religion_n he_o may_v close_v with_o a_o false_a one_o but_o where_o lie_v the_o fault_n upon_o who_o or_o what_o must_v this_o sin_n be_v charge_v sure_o i_o be_o that_o in_o this_o case_n a_o restraint_n upon_o the_o press_n be_v innocent_a and_o can_v be_v just_o blame_v for_o be_v not_o man_n oblige_v to_o examine_v the_o matter_n of_o their_o religion_n long_o before_o the_o art_n of_o printing_n be_v invent_v and_o be_v not_o the_o neglect_n of_o this_o duty_n a_o sin_n in_o former_a age_n when_o there_o be_v not_o so_o much_o as_o one_o press_n in_o all_o the_o
convince_v as_o well_o he_o may_v be_v by_o such_o text_n of_o scripture_n as_o can_v with_o any_o tolerable_a sense_n be_v otherwise_o interpete_v that_o our_o bless_a saviour_n be_v true_o god_n and_o true_o man_n what_o need_v such_o a_o person_n to_o see_v the_o opinion_n and_o weigh_v the_o argument_n of_o arian_n and_o socinian_o against_o this_o fundamental_a point_n of_o our_o christian_a faith_n to_o he_o who_o belief_n be_v already_o ground_v upon_o the_o infallible_a word_n of_o god_n be_v right_o understand_v the_o sight_n of_o different_a opinion_n and_o the_o argument_n for_o they_o signify_v nothing_o such_o a_o man_n do_v not_o need_v the_o confutation_n of_o heretical_a cavil_n to_o confirm_v that_o faith_n of_o he_o which_o be_v already_o bottom_v upon_o a_o rock_n which_o be_v immovable_a and_o as_o the_o sight_n of_o different_a opinion_n and_o the_o examination_n of_o argument_n plead_v for_o they_o be_v not_o needful_a to_o confirm_v a_o strong_a and_o well_o 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